serrata (Hedw.) B.S.G.

Status: State Working List Rank: G4S1 General Description: Tayloria serrata forms bright green to yellowish- green tufts 1-2 cm tall. are 3-4 mm long, oblong to obovate, acuminate or acute, sometimes obtuse, and slightly contorted when dry; marginal cells are coarsely serrate with blunt teeth in the upper half. The costa is single and ends just before the apex. Tayloria serrata is autoicous, with the capsule produced on a 1-2.5 cm long, yellowish-orange to red . The capsule is dark brown to reddish-brown, 2-5 mm long, cylindric with the neck (the area between the base of the urn and top of the seta) somewhat narrower than the urn. When dry, the columella is often exserted above the mouth of the capsule. teeth are dark red to red-brown and reflexed when dry. Identification Tips: This species can be distinguished from other members of the Splachnaceae family by the short to elongate and not strongly differentiated neck portion of the capsule. Range: Tayloria serrata is rare in the northern parts of Eastern North America (Crum and Anderson 1981). In the Pacific Northwest, it is known from southeastern Alaska to Alberta and Oregon. In Washington, it has been found in Clallam, Jefferson, San Juan, Stevens and Whitman counties. Habitat: Tayloria serrata grows on old dung, animal remains, humus, and occasionally on well rotted wood. State Status Comments: All of the currently known locations are on the Olympic Peninsula. The San Juan County record represents a historical site on San Juan Island that was not relocated during an extensive survey of the site. Due to the ephemeral nature of the substratum, it is unlikely that extensive populations will be found or that populations will persist for a long period of time. Inventory Needs: The distribution of this species in Washington is probably inadequately documented, due in part to its unusual substratum requirements. Threats and Management Concerns: This species is also ranked as S1 in Oregon. The ephemeral nature of the substratum poses challenges for appropriate management and may put this species at risk. References: Crum, H.A., L.E. Anderson. 1981. of Eastern North America, 2 volumes. Columbia University Press. New York. 1328 pp. Lawton, E., 1971. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. The Hattori Botanical Laboratory. Nichinan, Miyazaki, Japan. 362 pp. Schofield, W. B. 1992. Some Common Mosses of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum Handbook. Victoria. British Columbia. 394 pp. Tayloria serrata (Hedw.) B.S.G.

Photo by Martin Huttens

Known distribution of Tayloria serrata in Washington

Current (1980+) Historic (older than 1980) 2003 Produced as part of a cooperative project between the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and the U.S.D.A., Forest Service, Olympic National Forest. The author of these fact sheets is Judy Harpel, Region 6, USFS. Persons needing this information in an alternate format may call (360) 902-1340 or TTY (360) 902-1125.